Legend of Mazda
TitleLegend of Mazda
Year1991
Links Rotary Engine @ Wiki
 
 
My CommentThis movie was released in Japan on VHS and has been uploaded to youtube where I have seen it.
It covers in general the 24 hours of Le Mans in 1991 with a strong focus on the japanese overall victory car Mazda 787B.

After consistent efforts made over the preceding 13 years, the 1991 Le Mans turned out to be a historic moment for the rotary engine. It was in this year that Mazda finally secured an overall win at Le Mans, the first time for a Japanese automaker.

In the memorable 59th race, the Mazda787Bs powered by their quad-rotor engines entered into a fierce battle with their legendary European rivals, including Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Jaguar and Peugeot, and finally took the checkered flag after beating off Mercedes in a tense finish. It was undoubtedly a monumental achievement for the rotary engine. Mazda’s other two cars also saw out the full 24 hours, crossing the finish line to glory in sixth and eighth place.
 
 
My Rating3

The victorious 787B began the race from 19th on the grid, which was not a bad starting position, considering that the vehicle regulations for prototype sports car races were in the process of transition from turbocharged engines to 3,500cc naturally-aspirated engines. As a direct result of this change in the regulations, a turbo-charged Mercedes-Benz, despite recording the fastest lap time during the qualifying session, was forced to start from 11th position and only 38 vehicles out of the 46 that entered were allowed to line up on the grid. The other two Mazda 787Bs started from 23rd and 28th position respectively. Among the Mercedes-Benz drivers was Michael Schumacher who later became the Formula One World Champion.


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